The King Of Rock Is Dead, But The Elvis Museums Roll On

August 10, 1986|By Mike Wilkins.

Elvis Presley brings in the tourists. He has been dead since Aug. 16, 1977, but owners and operators of roadside attractions have known for all these years that The King still means a shot in the arm to their business. Because of this, Elvis` presence is everywhere along the highway, from Florida to California.

At wax museums, ``Fat Elvis in Concert`` rivals ``The Last Supper`` as the most ubiquitous exhibit. In the gift shops of Wild West towns, King commemorative dishes share the shelf with those celebrating the Duke, John Wayne. At historical sites, Elvis plaster busts hobnob with those of John F. Kennedy and Dwight D. Eisenhower. And coast to coast, his likeness is sculpted into the tribute America saves for only the greatest of its heroes: the liquor decanter.

The simple fact is that Elvis Presley has more tourist attractions devoted exclusively to him than any other man. After all, there are only two Disney parks, but there are 12 Elvis museums.

Where are these places? And what should you do if you want to spend an entire week of vacation just communing with The King? All aboard! It`s time to hop the mystery train for stops at the many Elvis sights the U.S. has to offer.

Day 1: Our first stop is The Elvis Museum in sunny Orlando, Fla. This is one of a chain of three museums set up by Elvis` ``personal friend,`` Jimmy Velvet. Jimmy rotates exhibits with his Memphis and Honolulu museums, and one can see Elvis` Exxon card, his wedding ring, his gold-plated Barreta and one of his karate outfits. Elvis loved karate, and as a sign tells you, ``He achieved 9th-degree black belt, making him the highest ranked entertainer.``

Day 2: It`s on to Gatlinburg, Tenn., for a look at The Elvis Hall of Fame. Inside, one gets a look at a re-created Elvis bedroom from his Hollywood years, wedding baubles and other ``guns, clothing and personal items.`` His

``TCB`` (Taking Care of Business) sunglasses and ring are highlights of the display. The first dollar Elvis ever earned is here, too. Also in Gatlinburg is The World of Illusion attraction where a holographic Elvis head seems to sing. You might believe The King is still alive.

Day 3: From Gatlinburg, it`s just a short drive to Nashville for two prime Elvis attractions. The first is the Elvis ``Solid Gold`` Cadillac on display at The Country Music Hall of Fame. There are many Elvis cars exhibited nationwide (at Harrah`s in Reno, Nev., for instance), but this George Barris creation is the neatest. The roof has been sawed off, and at the push of a button, it is mechanically lifted from the car, revealing the gold-painted TV set, bar, electric shoe shiner and telephone.

The best Elvis display in Nashville, though, is Elvis-A-Rama. Off in an odd corner of a Music Row building, it features a gigantic, 85-foot long, 10- foot high mural that curves around a small seating area. The painting illustrates significant moments in Elvis` life, slowly revealed with the aid of a recorded tour guide and theater lighting. Included in sections are a large wedding ring and gavel, symbolizing his marriage and divorce, a 6 1/2-foot-tall Elvis head in concert and an Elvis suit painting studded with real rhinestones.

When The King dies in this presentation, the room darkens, as the P.A. system finishes playing ``My Way.`` Then, suddenly, the recording directs your attention to ``The Eternal Flame,`` a gas jet shooting up from a wooden stand about waist-high. The guide then says with finality, ``Ladies and gentlemen, Elvis has left the building.``

Around the lower part of the diorama, there is room for one million fan signatures, and for $3, your name can be added to the 300,000 who already have left their mark, including celebrities like Sonny James and Archie Campbell.

Day 4: From Nashville, snake your way south to Tupelo, Miss., where you can see the house in which Elvis was born. A small railroad-style home, you can see it in its entirety by simply looking through the screen door. But don`t be cheap once you`ve driven this far; pay the admission and go inside. The home is on Elvis Presley Drive, as is The Elvis Presley Recreation Center. There is also an Elvis meditation chapel where visitors can reflect on The King`s tragic demise. It is also a popular place for Elvis fans to wed.

The highlight of your Tupelo stop will be lunch at the town`s McDonald`s restaurant. Large glass sneeze-screens have Elvis` head etched into them, and the walls are covered with Elvis memorabilia. Having a Big Mac while listening to a Muzak version of ``Love Me Tender`` will inexorably intertwine two classic American icons in your memory.